Peer Mentors

As a Behavioral Health Program awardee, students of both the Behavioral Health Expansion Program (BHEP) and CalSWEC Public Behavioral Health Program (PBH) will receive peer mentorship and access to culturally responsive training activities. The MSW Behavioral Health Program will prioritize recruiting new students, faculty, and staff who represent historically underserved communities and socio-demographic and linguistic diversity. Below are this year’s 2024-2025 Peer Mentors.

Our Peer Mentors were asked to answer the following questions. Please read below to see their responses.

1. What’s your current job/title?
2. Where did you complete your undergraduate degree, and what did you study?
3. What motivated you to get your MSW?
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
5. When the zombie apocalypse comes, what’s your special skill or talent that will help you survive?
6. What advice would you give to current MSW students?

Stephanie Chavez, ASW

Hi! My name is Stephanie, and I am absolutely thrilled to be a BHP Peer Mentor for the 2024-2025 academic year!

I graduated with a BSW from Chico State in the spring of 2018, and since then, I’ve been diving headfirst into the world of social work. I've worked in various community mental health departments, including Prevention and Full Service Partnership (FSP) programs with youth and adults. Since earning my Master’s in the Spring of 2024, my dedication to behavioral health services has only grown stronger. I am currently employed at a private psych agency, where I provide intensive outpatient therapy to clients with mood and personality disorders. The work has been challenging and rewarding in so many ways.  

 In the next 5-10 years, I aim to continue my work in direct service while also exploring opportunities in mezzo practice. I’m curious and motivated by the impact of our social systems and I am eager to engage in collaborative work that can drive long-term change for individuals in marginalized communities. 

If the zombie apocalypse were to happen, I would likely be “The Diplomat” of some sort. I’d use my communication skills to interact with other survivor groups, build alliances, trade resources, and maintain peace. Boring, I know – I’m not your greatest hunter or forager, but I do love a trade! 

 My advice to current MSW students would be to invite and accept the small moments of peace and joy. I know they feel difficult to come by during these times, but trust me… they are there and you deserve to have fun along the way! Don’t stress if the to-do list isn’t perfect – we get to try again tomorrow! Remember your why, connect with the people you love, and chase those positive experiences. 

Joey Flicker, ASW

  I am currently a medical social worker at Oroville Hospital. I work closely with individuals and families in need of psychosocial support. I also work part-time as a CARE Team Coach proving support to individuals & families when a youth is suicidal, has attempted suicide, or has taken their life by suicide. 

 I received my BSW from CSU, Chico in May 2018.  

Once I was in the BSW program, I knew pretty quickly that I wanted to pursue my MSW. A few weeks before graduation, I got advice from a former social worker professor who said: “After you graduate with your BSW, go out and get as much work experience as you possibly can, get married, divorced, and then come back to graduate school” (best advice I ever received). 

In the next few years, I plan on becoming an LCSW. I would like to provide therapy to teenagers & young adults. I plan on focusing in areas such as, mental health, maintaining health relationships, and helping young people narrow down their career/academic goals. 

Since I am an extrovert at heart, with my effective communication and social skills, I believe I can convince the zombies that eating other humans will eventually kill the human race, resulting in them having no food left. This manipulative tactic will place me at an advantage, gaining their trust, and leading them to a black hole that will suck them up, shoot them into outer space where they will be doomed forever.  

Tanya Hernandez, ASW

I am currently working at Chico Community Counceling Center through Butte County Behavioral Health. Here I hold the position as Mental Health Clinician 1. I provide services to youth, young adults, and their families. Services are provided in office and out in the field which include schools, homes, and around the community. I am also a part of the Youth Full-Service Partnership team, where I provide intensive therapeutic services and crisis support. 

I completed the first portion of my studies at Yuba Community College where I graduated with my Associates plus credits to transfer (yay for transfer students)! I then completed my Bachelor of Social Work here at Chico State. Go Wildcats! 

My motivation for obtaining my Master's was to be able to work in mental health settings, medical centers, and now public education and even policy. Which all require higher education at a graduate level. I also wanted to obtain my master's for myself because I love to learn and ask all the questions. As a first-generation student and daughter of immigrants, I wanted to show others that it can be done even with all the obstacles in between! Especially in a rural university. 

In 5-10 years, I hope to have my LCSW complete while almost done possibly with a PhD. I would love to work in public education that works around how our school systems affect the mental health of students in not only K-12 but higher education as well. Specifically, BIPOC community. I would like to find the answer around how do we create healing in an environment that has not been set up for students of color to succeed instead of staying as a system that continues to harm them not only as an individual but also their mental health. 

I feel like I should have watched more of the walking dead to be able to answer this question. I don't think I would make it ya'll it took me too long to try to find an answer and still nothing. Ask me at the end of the year, I should have an answer then, unless the apocalypse occurs between here and then. 

I would say through all the obstacles that you may face this school year, search for those small moments that will bring a smile to your face. Please reach out to staff, instructors, professors and even mentors and ask all the questions no matter how big or small. Let yourself be heard. This is your education and your experience, and you deserve to have all support available to you! Don't be afraid to speak up even if your voice and or body shakes because you are nervous, if the topic is important to you and it will bring awareness then you my friend are social working! Lastly you deserve to be in higher education obtaining this Master's remind yourself of this anytime you doubt yourself! 

Emilee Hunt, ASW, PPS

Emilee initially graduated from Chico State with a BA in Multicultural and Gender Studies in 2015. During her time at Chico State, she worked at the Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, a space dedicated to activism and supporting underserved students. She then pursued a Master of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University (2017), where her research focused on the experiences of queer and trans survivors of sexual assault on University campuses. After returning to Chico and working with survivors of sexual violence, Emilee felt called to return to school and pursue working with youth in more expansive services.

Emilee returned to Chico State, and graduated with her MSW in 2022. She now works as a School Counselor at a local middle school, where she is able to support students through the highs and lows of life, while re-writing her own experience of the middle school scaries.

In addition to this work, Emilee is pursuing her LCSW. She is very excited to be working with the Social Work department in supporting current MSW students, and is passionate about supporting students in building a school, work, and life balance. One piece of advice Emilee would offer current MSW students is: Utilize your resources and build connections! Reach out to your instructors, mentors, and cohort members to help combat imposter syndrome and hold space on challenging days. 

In her personal time, Emilee enjoys traveling, dabbling in all kinds of crafts, and wrangling her dog and three cats for some necessary relaxation! In a Zombie apocalypse, you could bet on Emilee hosting a sing-a-long party or show-and-tell event. It may not seem like a direct survival skill, but Emilee is a huge believer that storytelling and the arts saves lives.”